Still Confused About Who the Dark Wizard Really Is in 'The Rings of Power'? Let’s Look for Tolkien’s Clues

Creators of The Rings of Power clearly love their secrets. In Season 1, we were left guessing about the Stranger (hinted to be Gandalf), Halbrand (revealed as Sauron), and Adar (the first corrupted elf). Now, Season 2 gives us another puzzle: the mysterious 'Dark Wizard,' played by Ciarán Hinds.

Saruman Hints

At first glance, he feels like Saruman: long hair, two-toned beard, white robes. Even his obsession with finding Sauron echoes the White Wizard’s early mission.

But here’s the snag — in Tolkien’s canon, Saruman arrives in Middle-earth much later. I think this might be a deliberate trick to keep fans off balance. After all, we already know the face Saruman was hiding under.

The Blue Wizard Theory

Another theory: Hinds could be a Blue Wizard, Alatar or Pallando. They too journeyed east to Rhûn, and Tolkien left their fate uncertain — resisting Sauron in some tales, falling in others. That mystery gives the show creative freedom.

A Future Nazgûl?

The darkest theory: he may be a future Nazgûl. His necromancy and the Mystics echo Sauron’s wraiths, though his calling others “mortals” hints he isn’t fully human.

Why It Works

Amazon is clearly building this mystery the same way they did with Halbrand and the Stranger. Whether he’s an old name from Tolkien or a new invention, the Dark Wizard has already become Season 2’s biggest talking point.

And honestly, I’m intrigued — the eventual reveal could reshape everything we think we know about Middle-earth.